COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - What once represented crime in Coffee County is now being transformed into something much sweeter.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Douglas Police and Fire Department have officially launched the CHILL Patrol. A new community outreach initiative designed to build relationships between law enforcement and children while educating young people about the dangers of drugs.

The CHILL Patrol is an ice cream trailer that travels throughout the county, handing out free ice cream at ballgames, school events and community gatherings. According to Sheriff Fred Cole, the program was paid for entirely with seized drug money—meaning no taxpayer dollars were used.

Sheriff Cole says the idea goes far beyond handing out frozen treats.

“It’s about building relationships, showing up for our children and making sure kids see the people behind the badge,” Cole wrote in a social media post announcing the launch.

The sheriff explained that money seized during drug investigations often comes from activity that has harmed families and communities. Rather than allowing those funds to sit unused, the sheriff’s office chose to reinvest them into a program aimed at benefiting local children.

“We seized it, and instead of letting it sit somewhere, we decided to invest it in our children. We turned it into something positive for this community,” Cole said.

The initiative launched during the Annual End of School Bash alongside the Douglas Police Department and Douglas Fire Department, where Deputy Oakley and the CHILL Patrol handed out free ice cream to children and families.

Sheriff Cole says every cone served represents more than a treat.

“Every ice cream we hand out at a ball game, school event, or community day means that money is now working for this community instead of against it.”

Officials say the goal is simple: create positive interactions between children and law enforcement before they ever need help in a crisis.

“The next time a child in Coffee County sees a Sheriff’s Deputy, they’ll smile — not because they were told to, but because we showed up for them first,” Cole said.

The CHILL Patrol is expected to make appearances at community events across Coffee County throughout the year.

Building relationships. One kid at a time.

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